CROMWELL — Ädelbrook recently announced the selection of Alyssa Goduti as its new President and CEO. Goduti brings nearly 20 years of leadership, advocacy, and business development experience in CT’s nonprofit human service sector.

Most recently she served as the President and CEO of the CT Council of Family Service Agencies, a statewide association of human service providers which collectively serves over 180,000 people, employs 5,000 staff with total funding of over $250M. Previously, Goduti served as the Vice President for Business Development and Communications at CHR and as the Vice President for Public Policy of the Connecticut Community Providers Association (now the CT Nonprofit Alliance).

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The Ädelbrook board selected Goduti after an extensive national search led by board members, executive staff and the search firm JobFitMatters.

Goduti follows Ädelbrook’s previous long-term President and CEO, Garrell S. Mullaney, who has been working with the board during the last two years on his succession plan so that he may pursue other professional endeavors.

Under Mullaney’s dedicated leadership the organization has undergone a rebranding, grown from a staff of 150 to over 600, enhanced its annual budget to over $40 million and become a leader in working with children and young adults with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Ädelbrook anticipates that Goduti will be able to leverage these accomplishments and help continue to expand and enhance the agency’s reach and reputation.

“We are very excited to have Alyssa Goduti taking on the role of President and CEO,” said Howard Burgoyne, Co-Chair, Ädelbrook Board of Directors. “Alyssa brings a combination of great passion and expertise for nonprofits, proven leadership abilities and is also a local community member from Cromwell. She impressed the search committee with her extensive knowledge of nonprofit administration, development and government relations.”

“Ed Poff and the JobFitMatters team were a great partner to the Ädelbrook search committee. The System for Identifying Motivated Abilities (SIMA) provided a comprehensive profile for each of the final candidates equipping the committee members well for the interview process and the ultimate selection of the finalist,” said Roger Oxendale, President of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence.

“I am honored to join Ädelbrook as its new leader, and to work with the dedicated board and staff to provide hope and healing for children and families with Autism and other developmental and behavioral challenges. I’m inspired by the strength and determination of children and families served by Ädelbrook, the compassion of the staff, the culture of innovation and the agency’s future potential to meet the growing needs of people with Autism. I’m thrilled to be part of its leadership.”

Ädelbrook is a multi-service agency specializing in behavioral and developmental services of families and individuals, of all ages, as they relate to intellectual/developmental disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Gillette Castle ‘Friends’ offer holiday tours

EAST HADDAM — The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park recently announced Gillette Castle will be open for tours this holiday season. The former estate of actor William Gillette, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes, will be decorated in a rustic style that compliments its unique interior.

Gillette Castle will be open to the public for tours on weekends only, Nov. 23-Dec. 23 on Fridays from 4 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (last ticket sold at 8 p.m.) and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (last ticket sold at 3:30 p.m.).

Outdoor entertainment during the holiday season will include bonfires, carolers, and musicians. Live performances on the grounds will be at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There will be an ongoing children’s scavenger hunt that includes the museum, visitor center, and cider mill. William and Helen Gillette, as portrayed by our friends, Harold and Theodora Niver, will greet guests in the castle on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. Rumor has it Santa and Mrs. Claus may make a few appearances as well. Follow the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park Facebook page for updates on various events and appearances.

The Sherlock Grill will be open weekends during the holiday season and serving a winter menu. Additionally, the Friends of Gillette Gift shop will be open weekends in the Visitor Center.

Tickets to tour the castle can be purchased upon arrival at the Visitors Center. Pre-purchase tickets online at reserveamerica.com beginning November 16th. The museum entrance fee is $6 for general admission, $2 for children ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under, CT Disabled Veterans pass holders, and those CT seniors who hold Charter Oak passes.

The castle was decorated by many dedicated volunteers and friends including: Ballek’s Garden Center, Dominion Energy Employees, East Haddam Business Association, East Haddam Economic Development Commission, East Haddam Stage Company, Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Watershed, Friends of Dinosaur Park and Arboretum, Friends of Gillette Castle State Park , Friends of Hammonasset State Beach, Friends of Pachaug Forest, Friends of Rathbun Library, Friends of Sunrise-Macamoodus State Park, Goodspeed’s Station Country Store, Japanese Society of Greater Hartford, Office of Representative Melissa Ziobron, Sherlock Grill, and the Yuris Family.

This program was made possible by the efforts of the Friends of Gillette Castle State Park in conjunction with State Representative Melissa Ziobron. Funding for the program was provided in thanks to a generous grant from Dominion Energy.

Gillette Castle was purchased by the State of Connecticut in 1943. It is owned and operated by Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The property includes the castle, the visitor center, concessions, and just over 200 acres of property with miles of trails. The museum will be open weekends only. Castle tours and program of events are subject to change in the event of inclement weather. The grounds of Gillette Castle State Park are open daily, year-round, from 8 a.m. until sunset. Gillette Castle State Park is located at 67 River Road, East Haddam, 06423.

Founded in 1998, The Friends of Gillette Castle State Park is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to the preservation, conservation, and education of the castle and its grounds. We are always accepting new members.